Analyzing the Gyrotonic® arch and curl

gyro

文章来源于：
Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies Volume 10, Issue 2, April 2006, Pages 147-153

Summary

This article examines a foundational movement in the Gyrotonic Expansion System® known as arch and curl. The Gyrotonic Expansion System, created by Juliu Horvath beginning in the 1980s, is a relatively new approach to movement based on three-dimensional spiraling and circular patterns, with applications in exercise, therapy and rehabilitation. Beginning with an overview of the Gyrotonic Expansion System, this article will explore the basic principles of Gyrotonic movement, and define key concepts, before looking at the specific biomechanics of arch and curl. We highlight common problems clients encounter with arch and curl, and consider applications to movement and bodywork.


Introduction

What do skateboarding, surfing, snowboarding, the many varieties of street/break/hip-hop dance, and the Gyrotonic Expansion System® have in common? The answer: movement that requires the body to spiral, curve, undulate, coil, twist and turn in three dimensions. These twenty-first century movement forms offer unique perspective and challenge to bodywork and movement therapists. This paper will explore one such basic movement from the Gyrotonic Expansion System, arch and curl (A&C), in its many dimensions: origin, basic principles, biomechanics, common problems and applications to movement and bodywork. The movement we have chosen is a relatively simple undulation of the spine in the sagittal plane, accompanied by simultaneous movement of the limbs in the transverse plane. This movement is fundamental to other more advanced spiraling sequences.


Section snippets

Origin

The exercise known as A&C is a foundation movement in the Gyrotonic Expansion System. A&C is a full-body movement that includes within it all of the basic principles of Gyrotonic training. There are several series of exercises in the system that are based on it, and all Gyrotonic exercises include some aspect of A&C. Although the idea of alternating flexion and extension of the spine is familiar from various movement and dance forms, A&C in Gyrotonic training is unique in the specificity of its
  
Philosophy

Horvath has written that, ‘the cause of all disease is stagnation, regardless if mental, emotional or otherwise’ (Horvath, 2002). In his paper containing notes on basic principles Horvath lists some effects of Gyrotonic training. These include: increased circulation of blood, lymphatic liquids and energy through aerobic and cardiovascular stimulation; increased elimination and absorption; increased mobility of the joints; stimulation and strengthening of the nervous system; mobilization of the

Basic principles

Knowledge of a few basic principles (Horvath, 2002) of Gyrotonic work will help clarify the following descriptions of A&C. These principles include stabilization through contrast, creating space in the joints, using appropriate breath patterns, and intention. The first one, stabilization through contrast, sets Gyrotonic training apart from many current exercise methods.
Instead of attempting to create stabilization by fixing or holding the body in a particular position, Gyrotonic training

Definitions

In the following analysis, a few terms appear that are commonly used in Gyrotonic exercise, so some brief definitions are in order. The first term is the seed center. The seed center corresponds to the body's center of gravity located in the center of the bowl of the pelvis, but the concept goes beyond a specific location. Think of a seed planted in the ground. As it begins to grow, it sends energy in two directions: downward into the roots, and up into the stem, leaves or flowers. This energy

Biomechanics

A&C is often the first movement performed during a Gyrotonic session. It also recurs frequently as a central aspect of other movements or exercises during the session. Usually it is one of the first movements that a new Gyrotonic client learns. A&C is a continuous journey of discovery. It is a tool for warming up the body, for checking in to the current state of one's body, for tuning and fine-tuning movement, or for making new discoveries about muscles or bones or energy flow.

One of the

Common problems: what to look for

Because A&C requires coordination throughout the entire body, and balanced flexibility along the whole spine, A&C can serve as a means of assessing a client's movement patterns. There are a number of challenges that emerge during the process of A&C, places where lack of awareness in the body and limitations to body movement reveal themselves. We note four such challenges here:

1.First, can the client initiate a curl from the seed center and coordinate it smoothly with the adduction of both legs,


Applications for movement and bodywork


Practitioners of bodywork and myofascial release tend to make an assumption of deep work: that particular methodologies work on the deep core level of tissue, as opposed to the superficial or sleeve muscles that might be affected by a relaxing massage. But what happens when a client presents with sleeve tissue adhered to core structure? This common situation can impede the full potential of both core and sleeve.

A&C contains a fluid, central movement of the spine concurrent with different


References (5)

B. Calais-Germain
Anatomy of Movement
(1993)
Gyrotonic Expansion System International Headquarters 2000–2002. Gyrotonic®: the art of exercising and beyond®....
There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

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